Are Basil Plants Poisonous to Cats?

Basil and most other culinary herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, cilantro, parsley and mint, will not harm your cats. Protect all your pets by determining the toxicity of all your house, garden and landscaping plants before planting. Check with your veterinarian or consult the ASPCA's list on Toxic and Non-Toxic plants.
Plants Do Cats Not Like?
Many cats munch on greens, even though they are considered carnivores. Finding a plant that repels cats might require some experimentation. Rue, lavender and pennyroyal are plants that cats typically don't like because of their odor, but cats are unpredictable creatures and not every cat will react the same. Utah's Best Friends Animal Society also recommends the plant Coleus canina, which is also known as a "scaredy cat plant." Thorny roses can also be unappealing to cats. In addition to plants that cats dislike, some plants are actually poisonous to them. Some common culprits are rhododendron, azalea, mushrooms, sago palm, buttercup, daffodil and hyacinth. Plant a small area with catnip or cat grass to attract cats to a particular spot and hopefully distract them from the other plants in the area.
- Basil and most other culinary herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, cilantro, parsley and mint, will not harm your cats.
- Rue, lavender and pennyroyal are plants that cats typically don't like because of their odor, but cats are unpredictable creatures and not every cat will react the same.
References
- Cat Scans: Safe Plants and Toxic Plants
- The Cat Fancier's Association, Inc.: Plants and Your Cat
- ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List - Cats
- ASPCA: Cats Who Eat Plants
- University of Vermont Extension: Keeping Cats Out of the Garden
- PetMD: Outdoor Plant Poisoning in Cats
- The Humane Society: How Does Your Cat Grass Grow? Plant a Feline-Friendly Indoor Garden
- ASPCA: Guide to Pet-Safe Gardening
- Alley Cat Allies: How to Live With Cats in Your Neighborhood
- Best Friends Animal Society Utah: Cheap and Easy Cat Deterents
Writer Bio
Based in Ohio, Deborah Waltenburg has been writing online since 2004, focusing on personal finance, personal and commercial insurance, travel and tourism, home improvement and gardening. Her work has appeared on numerous blogs, industry websites and media websites, including "USA Today."